David Lee Roth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Lee Roth
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Roth in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Diamond Dave |
| Born | October 10, 1954 Bloomington, Indiana, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1972–present |
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David Lee Roth (born October 10, 1954) is an American rock singer. He is famous for his wild and energetic performances on stage. He was the main singer for the hard rock band Van Halen at different times: from 1974 to 1985, in 1996, and from 2006 until the band stopped playing in 2020.
David Lee Roth also had a very successful solo career. He released many albums that sold millions of copies. In 2006, he rejoined Van Halen after more than 20 years. Their tour together was the biggest in the band's history. In 2007, he became part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Van Halen.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
David Lee Roth was born in Bloomington, Indiana. His father was an eye doctor and his mother was a teacher. He has two sisters, including Lisa Roth, who created the Rockabye Baby! lullaby music series. His family has Jewish roots.
From a young age, Roth loved art, especially movies and radio. He said his first music hero was Al Jolson. He spent much of his childhood in New Castle, Indiana. Later, his family moved to Pasadena, California. He went to high school there and also attended a horse ranch to learn responsibility. While at Pasadena City College, he met the brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen.
Joining Van Halen: 1972–1985
When he was a teenager, Roth sang by himself and with a rock band called the Red Ball Jets. Another band from Los Angeles, Mammoth, often rented the Red Ball Jets' sound system. Mammoth included Alex Van Halen on drums and Eddie Van Halen singing and playing guitar. After a few tries, Roth joined Mammoth as their lead singer.
In 1974, Mammoth changed its name to Van Halen. Roth thought this name would be good for the band's long-term identity and marketing. Van Halen became very popular in the Los Angeles area. They played regularly at famous clubs like the Whisky a Go Go.
In 1976, Gene Simmons from the band Kiss noticed them. He helped them make a demo tape with 10 songs. These songs later appeared on their first albums. In 1977, Warner Bros. Records signed Van Halen to a record deal.
First Album Success
Their first album, Van Halen, came out in 1978. It quickly became very popular and was played on the radio a lot. The band toured for months, opening for bigger bands like Journey and Black Sabbath. The album reached number 19 on the Billboard 200 chart. By 2014, it had sold over 12 million copies, earning a "Diamond" award.
Over the next five years, Van Halen released four more albums that sold millions. Roth was known for helping create Van Halen's image. His fun lyrics went perfectly with Eddie Van Halen's hard rock guitar sounds. This helped the band reach the top of the Billboard pop chart in 1984 with their album 1984. This was their first and only album to reach number one.
Creative Differences
Even with all their success, Roth and Eddie Van Halen started to have different ideas about music. Roth liked songs about partying and dancing, similar to bands like Aerosmith. Eddie wanted darker, deeper songs. In 1983, Eddie built a recording studio at his home. This allowed him to control more of the recording process. He also started using keyboards and synthesizers more, while Roth preferred guitar-heavy rock.
Their last album together until 2006, 1984, was a huge hit. It continued the band's move towards more mainstream pop music. In early 1985, while still with Van Halen, Roth released a solo album called Crazy from the Heat. It had different kinds of pop songs. Roth officially left Van Halen in August 1985.
Brief Reunions
In June 1996, Roth briefly rejoined Van Halen. They recorded two new songs for a "best of" album. After an appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards, Roth was not chosen to be the band's singer again. Instead, Gary Cherone took the spot. One of the new songs, "Me Wise Magic," became a number one rock hit.
In 2001, there were rumors that Roth and Van Halen had recorded new songs again. Roth and bassist Michael Anthony confirmed this, but nothing came from it.
Solo Career: 1985–2006
After leaving Van Halen, Roth put together a supergroup of talented musicians in late 1985. This included guitarist Steve Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Gregg Bissonette.
Big Solo Hits
In July 1986, Roth released his first solo album, Eat 'Em and Smile. It was a return to hard rock but also included different styles, like a jazz version of "That's Life". The album was a big success, selling over 2 million copies in the U.S. Roth and his band toured a lot to support the album.
In January 1988, Roth released Skyscraper. This album was more experimental and had the hit song "Just Like Paradise". Skyscraper also sold two million copies. After this album, Billy Sheehan left the band. Steve Vai also left later to start his own solo career.
Roth then hired 19-year-old guitar player Jason Becker for his third solo album, A Little Ain't Enough, released in 1991. This album also sold well. However, Becker was diagnosed with a serious illness and couldn't perform. Around this time, grunge rock became popular, and Roth's style of hard rock seemed less fashionable.
Later Solo Work
In 1994, Roth released Your ... Little Mouth. This album didn't sell as well as his earlier ones. In 1995, Roth started performing a lounge act in Las Vegas casinos.
In 1997, Roth wrote a popular book about his life called Crazy from the Heat. It was a New York Times best-seller. In 1998, he released another album of new songs called DLR Band. Critics thought it was a good return to his earlier style.
In the late 1990s, Roth became an emergency medical technician (EMT) in New York City. He went on over 200 ambulance rides. He said he lives a very different life away from music.
In 2002, Roth toured with Sammy Hagar, who had also been a singer for Van Halen. This tour helped Roth's career. In 2003, Roth released an album called Diamond Dave, which had mostly cover songs.
Back with Van Halen: 2007–2015
On January 24, 2007, it was announced that David Lee Roth would rejoin Van Halen for a big tour. This was confirmed on the official Van Halen website. The band included Roth, Alex Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen, and Eddie's son, Wolfgang Van Halen, on bass.
In March 2007, five members of Van Halen, including Roth, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, the Van Halen brothers and Roth did not attend the ceremony. Only Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar were there to accept the award.
On August 13, 2007, the tour was finally confirmed. Eddie Van Halen said that he and Roth were "like brothers" now. They talked about more tours and a new album in the future. The 2007–2008 tour with Roth made over $93 million, which was a record for the band. They played for almost one million people across the United States and Canada.
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In December 2011, Van Halen announced a new tour with Roth for 2012. A new album, A Different Kind of Truth, was released on February 7, 2012. In March 2015, a live album called Tokyo Dome Live in Concert was released. The band also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and announced another tour.
Van Halen stopped playing after Eddie Van Halen passed away from cancer on October 6, 2020.
Later Years: 2016–Present
In 2014, Roth recorded some songs with guitarist John 5. In October 2019, Roth said these songs would be released soon. In 2019, Roth also announced a series of solo shows in Las Vegas for 2020. He also planned to tour with the band Kiss as their opening act. Some shows happened, but the tour was stopped because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In October 2020, Roth honored Eddie Van Halen by sharing a song called "Somewhere Over the Rainbow Bar and Grill." This was one of five songs from his 2014 recordings that were released later.
In October 2021, Roth announced he planned to retire from performing after a final series of shows in Las Vegas. However, these shows were canceled. His last performance was in March 2020 with Kiss in Texas. After retiring, Roth released several cover versions of Van Halen songs in 2022.
Personal Life and Hobbies
David Lee Roth has never married. He dated actress Apollonia Kotero in the 1980s.
In 2018, Roth and tattoo artist Ami James created a line of skincare products for tattooed skin. Roth has many tattoos himself. The business closed in 2022.
Roth lives in New York City, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. Besides being an EMT, he is also a martial artist. He has been training in kenjutsu since he was twelve years old. He also practices kenpō and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Since 2006, Roth has been a licensed private pilot for helicopters.
Roth is also a visual artist. He creates paintings and drawings that often comment on society.
Solo Band Members
- Guitars: Steve Vai (1986–1989)
- Bass guitar: Billy Sheehan (1986–1988)
- Percussion: Gregg Bissonette (1986–1989)
Guitar
- Al Estrada - lead guitar (2019–2021)
- Jake Faun - rhythm guitar (2020)
- Frankie Lindia - rhythm guitar (2020)
- Brian Young - lead guitar (2002–2006)
- Toshi Hiketa - rhythm guitar (2003–2006)
- Bart Walsh (1999–2001)
- Mike Hartman (1998)
- John 5 (1998, 2012, 2019)
- Steve Hunter (1990–1992, 1997)
- Terry Kilgore (1993–1994)
- Rocket Ritchotte (1993–1994)
- Joe Holmes (1991–1992)
- Desi Rexx (1991, a few shows in Europe only)
- Jason Becker (1990–1991)
- Steve Vai (1985–1989)
Bass guitar
- Ryan Wheeler (2020)
- Todd Jensen (1990–1991, 1999–2000, 2004–2006)
- James LoMenzo (2001–2004)
- B'urbon Bob (1998)—pseudonym for John 5
- John Regan (1994)
- James Hunting (1993–1994)
- Matt Bissonette (1988–1990)
- Billy Sheehan (1985–1988)
Drums
- Francis Valentino (2020)
- Mike Musselman (2019–2020)
- Jimmy DeGrasso (2006)
- Ray Luzier (1997–2000, 2001–2005)
- Ron Wikso (1993–1994)
- Larry Aberman (1994)
- Joseph Hudson (1993–1994, 1995–1997)
- Gregg Bissonette (1985–1992)
Keyboard
- Danny Wagner (2020)
- Marcus Margand II (2000–2001)
- Patrick Howard I (1998–1999)
- Billy Thompson (1996–1998)
- Richard Hilton (1994–1995)
- Brett Tuggle (1988–1994, 1997)
- Jesse Harms (1986)
Discography
Solo Studio Albums
- Eat 'Em and Smile (1986)
- Skyscraper (1988)
- A Little Ain't Enough (1991)
- Your Filthy Little Mouth (1994)
- DLR Band (1998)
- Diamond Dave (2003)
Solo Extended Plays
- Crazy from the Heat (1985)
Albums with Van Halen
- Van Halen (1978)
- Van Halen II (1979)
- Women and Children First (1980)
- Fair Warning (1981)
- Diver Down (1982)
- 1984 (1984)
- A Different Kind of Truth (2012)
Images for kids
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Roth in 2007
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See also
In Spanish: David Lee Roth para niños
